Devolution for North Yorkshire has taken a major step forwards with the creation of a new Combined Authority for York and North Yorkshire.
The new body launched yesterday, it will be led by a Mayor who will be elected in May and will receive over half a billion pounds of government funding over the next 30 years.
James Farrar is the authority's Interim Head of Paid Service, he explains what the new body will do....
Formation of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will see more than £540 million coming to the region, with further funding for housing, transport, skills and net zero schemes moving from central government to be controlled and invested locally. The first year will see more than £56 million delivered, which includes projects to build hundreds of new homes and schemes to help the region transition to net zero.
The combined authority will operate alongside North Yorkshire Council and the City of York Council who's individual roles remain unchanged.
North Yorkshire's leader - Councillor Carl Les - says it's a positive change.
Once elected the Mayor will chair a "Combined Authority Board" which will include two councillors from North Yorkshire and two from York, concerns have been raised that this represents a democratic deficit for North Yorkshire which has roughly three times the population of York but Councillor Les doesn't think this is an issue.
Councillor Les feels the devolution deal is a good deal and will lead to further investment from Government in the future.
The new authority will receive funding from Whitehall to spend on strategic areas such as Transport, Housing and Adult Education.
James Farrar says the mayor will be able to bring local focus to the regions development and thinks projects like the A64 upgrade will be high on the agenda.
In a video message played at the authorities launch event Minister for Levelling Up, Jacob Young, said:
“The launch is an important milestone in delivering our devolution deal and unlocking more than half a billion pounds of committed long-term funding for the area over the next 30 years.
“Implementing this devolution deal and establishing the new Combined Authority means powers and funding will be transferred from London to God's own county of York and North Yorkshire. More decisions will now be taken locally with investments made to address key local priorities and drive delivery of key projects.
“Devolution continues to be a key priority for this government, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Combined Authority, councils and the new Mayor in due course as the region begins this new exciting chapter.”
Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said:
“It was fantastic to join local stakeholders to mark the first day of the Combined Authority and the start of a new era for our region. I want to thank everyone across York and North Yorkshire who has been involved in making this happen.
“One of York’s Council Plan priorities is to make the most of devolution and we are looking forward to getting on with the job in the coming weeks, months and years by working closely with our North Yorkshire partners and the new Mayor.
“While we are all rightly proud of where we live, our region does face challenges, especially around housing, transport and the cost of living crisis. Making devolution a success means delivering for our residents and businesses by investing in sustainable and affordable housing, tackling the climate emergency, transforming transport and boosting our economy for the benefit of everyone."
The new combined authority website can be found at https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/
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